IceSL

Note: IceSL is free for research purposes (contact us for all other cases).

IceSL is an advanced tool designed to help manufacturers in designing complex models or patterns ready for 3D printing. The app comes with a slicer that generates precise instructions to be used by all sorts of printers.

The application comes with two different software, namely the Forge and Slicer. While the Slicer is a tool that focuses on generating accurate instructions for the printer, the Forge is where you can design and customize your models. The modeling is done in LUA and hence, you can be sure to use combinations of shapes, voxels, shaders, triangle meshes and shaders. On a side note, the app does not produce printer-specific G-code directly.

It is worth mentioning that the app allows you to customize each layer individually and, as a consequence, you can use the per-layer settings to design your model in detail. Why you might be worried this is a complex task, the truth is that this can be done seamlessly via a simple UI where you can add the desired values.

A noteworthy feature of the program is that it supports cubic and tetrahedral self-supported infills that are ready to use with FDM 3D printing but can work with older versions as well. The tetrahedral infills are the default since they constitute the perfect balance between weight, strength and speed.

While initially the app was supposed to work with hierarchical infills, they have been replaced by a more advanced progressive pattern version. The advantage of progressive infills is that they go hand in hand with the per-layer settings and hence, your model can vary in density along the height.

In the eventuality that you are looking for a utility to help you create comprehensive models that are ready to be printed via the 3D printer, then perhaps you can consider giving IceSL a try.